Neitzel, Walton, Morgan honored
This just in: Drew Neitzel was named by first team All-Big Ten by coaches and media, quite an honor for the junior guard. Also, Travis Walton was named to the All-Defensive team, and Raymar Morgan to the All-Freshman team.
Wisconsin's Alando Tucker was player of the year by coaches and media; the media and coaches named OSU coach Thad Matta coach of the year; Greg Oden got freshman of the year and defensive player of the year; and OSU's Daequan Cook got the sixth man award.
My only quibbles: I would rather have seen OSU point guard Mike Conley Jr. get freshman of the year. Yes, Oden is an invaluable 7-footer with a great NBA career ahead of him, and yes, his shot blocking did immeasurable good for Ohio State's defense. But I think Conley was that team's best player and MVP. Big Ten player of the year, in my opinion, came down to Tucker, Conley and Neitzel.
I also wonder how Walton didn't even receive an honorable mention nod by coaches or media, considering he's second to Conley in assists and was on the all-defense team. I think the media got it right with Conley on the first team, while coaches had Landry instead of Conley. Actually, I'd put Conley and Landry on, and bump Adam Haluska to second team. But that's just me. Otherwise, I think the voting was right on.
I think your right Joe. I also think that Conley was more important than Tucker because of floor leadership. Ohio State without Conley and some very key baskets he made, you could take that long, tall drink of water in the middle and kiss the #1 rating goodbye. Obviously, with all the nonsensical hype about "Arthur Murray" Oden it was an uphill battle. A truly unworthy choice for Freshman of the Year.
As for Neitzel,a big if, but IF he had hit that 3 pointer to beat Wisconsin...whoa nellie. I think he might have beat out Tucker,(and his mom)for BTPOTY. Cest'le vie. Congrats to Walton and Morgan too.
Posted by: buddy j | March 06, 2007 at 01:26 PM
The question is, how do they define Player of the Year? Is it the best player or the most valuable player?
Even then, I would argue that Drew was both. Still a solid Assist to Turnover ratio, the leading FT shooter, and the reason his team was within two points on the road at top five OSU and Wisconsin.
Posted by: Andy | March 06, 2007 at 02:05 PM
I just hope Oden AND Conley go pro in a month!!!
Posted by: Sparty1 | March 06, 2007 at 02:44 PM
Amen, brother.
Posted by: Evergreen | March 06, 2007 at 03:55 PM
sorry, but you can't be the bigten POY for an 8-8 team, ain't gonna happen at 9-7, either.
Posted by: Spartan in Florida | March 06, 2007 at 04:22 PM
What disturbs me is that Neitzel wasn't an unanymous selection and Oden was. I think the only reason that Oden got so much postseason recognition was because of his hype going in to OSU. OSU was just fine without Oden when he was out with his wrist injury, as shown by their near upset at a good North Carolina team. Think what would happen if a Neitzel-less MSU went in to Chapel Hill. Geez. The similarity between Oden and Neitzel is their abiity to create opening for teammates because of double teams and jumping screens. Oden could get away with a poor performance though, as OSU is multi demensional. Its just disapointing to see Drew play 40 minutes a game (while playing defense on the perimeter), run through screen after screen and not even recieve a unanimous first team.
Posted by: msufan8889 | March 06, 2007 at 04:57 PM
Considering that 8-8 team gets to the NCAA tournament, and considering that 8-8 team would have been 3-13 otherwise, likely, then there definitely is an argument for POY.
Posted by: Evergreen | March 07, 2007 at 07:48 AM
I hate this argument of "most valuable" or "best player." They are the same thing. MVP was started to name the best... most outstanding player... end of story. Somewhere along the line somebody started overthinking and analyzing who is "most valuable" to his or her team. Somebody who's favorite player did NOT get chosen as MVP. It's ridiculous. You can't penalize a guy for having a good supporting cast. The best player is the best player. It's like the NBA right now. "No one is more valuable to their team than steve nash." So what? Who was the best player this year? Not who IS the best player in the league or whose team would be WORSE OFF without him... who had the best season? End of story-- they are the MVP. Did Alando Tucker have the best season of any other player in the Big Ten? Absolutely. Even though Neitel is more valuable to his team it doesn't mean he had a better year than ODen-- although I think he did by far. Oden was much more inconsistent than Drew. MVP = Best Player.
Posted by: bobby mcgee | March 07, 2007 at 11:35 AM
I completely agree with bobby mcgee. Except that i think the best player is Neitzel.
Posted by: markv | March 07, 2007 at 01:58 PM
Great points, Evergreen and bobby....
Personally, I believe Neitzel will get his POY props next year as a Senior, just like Tucker got his this year, and the progression continues... that's the game the coaches and media play when it comes to voting for these POY awards (Tucker was a Senior and had a great year on a solid club). Regarding Oden, he's been the most overhyped kid to come into the Big Ten, since... well since never, since until this year, kids like Oden and Durant (Texas) would already be on an NBA roster out of high school, before the 19-year old rule was passed before this season by NBA. Expect more to come in regards to overhyped, one year wonder players that make 1st Team conference as Freshmen. Eric Gordon of IU will be next year's version of Oden & Freshman of the Year (since Oden will be long gone to NBA... sorry Thad). But, Neitzel will win POY if he stays healthy and MSU has success like they should next year in winning the Big Ten title.
With that said, enough talk - Beat NW tomorrow... and those pesky Badgers on Friday!
Posted by: BWhite | March 07, 2007 at 02:59 PM